Sample Society - Allure July 2014 Review

Sample Society with Allure is a monthly subscription box from BeautyBar.com. They have recently revamped the box. I had cancelled my subscription a couple months ago, because they send the tiniest of samples. Then I resubscribed when the May box looked good, but was disappointed once again with the June box. Also, when I subscribed again, the price was now $15. Just as I was about to unsubscribe again, they announce they have "revamped" the box. I have definitely criticized them in the past for not really shipping true deluxe size samples like they claimed.  I had to see what the revamp was all about. It sounds like everyone got the same box this month, with different colors on a couple items, but next month shipments will go out according to profiles.

First thing I noticed is this is now in a bright red box, with a new name, Allure Sample Society. It used to be in a black box with the name Beautybar.com Sample Society with Allure. I like the new design.

The next thing that was noticeably different is the info card. It now actually tells about the products, instead of giving beauty tips or talking about other products. I liked the old mini mags, but I'm actually a fan of receiving information about the products that are actually in the box.

First Look! I'm liking it already! They say they will be sending five deluxe samples, mix of skin, hair, makeup, and fragrance.

Butter London nail polish in "The Old Bill" $15 - Full size! LOVE! Any butter London nail polish is a hit for me, and this color just makes it that much cooler. Three different colors were available, all shiny mettallics. I love the one I got.

 

 

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Aqua Universalie Eau de Toilette - full size cost is $175, but I don't know how to assign a value to a sample. Anyway, it's a fragrace. So, it's a complete waste on me.

Fekkai PrX Reparatives Intense Fortifying Masque - $8 This is a deep conditioning treatment, takes 5 minutes, once a week. and I've heard great things about it. I've been meaning to try this so I'm happy to see it this month. I'm also happy it truly is deluze size 1.69oz.

L'Oreal Paris Extraordinaire by Colour Riche Liquid Lipcolor in Ruby Opera - $9.99. Another FULL SIZE product! So happy to see this. I thought it was a lipstick, but after browsing through the info card I realize it's lipgloss. I LOVE the color, perfect for me.

Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight 01 - LOVE Full size is $36, and this is .06 oz. Which is perfect for me. I am also thrilled with the light color, instead of getting one of the bronzers from this same line. It's very shimmery and is used to accent features. This is good quality and gets excellent reviews.

 

That's it for the July Allure Sample Society box. The website says there will be a $10 coupon included to redeem at Beautybar.com. I did not get this, but from what I understand, it is posted online. This means when you log onto your account it gives you the code. I'm really glad I stuck around to see the new design. I'm thrilled with this months box, especially thrilled they now include deluxe size and full size items. It's looking like this will now be of equivalent to Birchbox and Ipsy.

 

~A

 



Sample Society - March 2014 Review

I am new to Beauty Bar Sample Society, this is my first box. As usual, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I received 5 products. All sample sizes, as expected. The box is $15/month, which totals $16.43 with shipping or tax, not sure which one. The box made is fairly obvious who this was from, so I knew what it was upon arrival.

A box within a box! It's much smaller than I imagined. Hmm, I feel like I've said that before, but I just can't quite place when.

Very pretty tissue paper, and matching stuffing inside too.

At first I thought this was a info card. It is the same size as an info card. It's printed on glossy thick paper like an info card. But upon closer inspection, I realized it was not talking about the samples that were in the box. It was a little brochure discussing the top five trends of Spring. I was surprised to see it was completely unrelated to what was in the box. Interesting reading though. I think this was the advice from Allure this month. I hope they always include something like this. I especially liked the advice on textured updos, and will put that to use someday.

Hanskin Premium Perfect Super Magic BB Cream SPF30  - The back of the tube is written in Korean. I followed none of it. Here is what my imagination says it's saying "it provides coverage, anti-aging protection, sun protection, and cell renewal, all in one tube. Evens skin tone by completely covering skin blemishes, freckles, pores, and fine lines." Ok, Ok, I took that off the website. It's too late in the day for me to come up with that on my own!

Alterna CC Caviar Cream - Caviar CC Cream - or "Complete Correction" Cream - is a miracle leave-in product for hair that delivers 10 benefits: Moisture, Shine, Smoothness, Softness, Anti-Breakage, Heat Protection, Light Hold, UV Protection, Manageability, Strength. I want my hair to have all these things! This is automatically going in my travel bag for my next trip. It's the perfect size for a short business trip that I have coming up.   

Jane Tran hair accessory - Jane Tran Bobby pins. These are super cute. I've received Jane Tran pins before in other boxes. I'm probably gifting these because they are so cute.

Jane Iredale Tantasia Self Tanner - A moisturizing, natural bronzer and self-tanner for face and body. The sample is too small to really try anywhere but the face for one or two times. I'm hoping the citrus fragrance is not too strong as sometimes they are with tanners. I have such fair skin that sometimes when winter has gone on a little too long, I feel like a Casper. My secret method for getting a little color is applying sunscreen liberally, then self-tanner, then going out into the sun for a bit. This combination works wonderful. I do this on vacation, hoping that upon return I don't look as exhausted as I really am from all that relaxing.

MD SolarSciences SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Crème - Lightweight tinted creme, infused with ProVention-R antioxidants, leaves skin with an even, matte finish. Long-lasting and water resistant up to 80 minutes. Non-Comedogenic.

Even though I only placed a quarter in one of the pics, the smallest one, all samples are about the same size. It is great to have different products to try. It was fun to try this box this month. I will be trying again, but I'm not sold on keeping this one just yet. I think the small size of the samples is kind of throwing me off a little bit. At least they are foil packets. I definitely prefer the boxes that have a combination of luxury sample size and full size products. I'm not making my mind up just yet, but I'm not convinced I'm keeping this one.

Please comment and let me know if you have tried Sample Society, and what do you think of the box?